Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana passed on all the credit for their thrilling three-wicket win to all-rounder Nadine de Klerk, who starred with bat and ball against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the opening encounter of the Women’s Premier League 2026 on Friday.

De Klerk hit a sublime 63 off 44 balls to clinch victory off the last ball of the match. Earlier, she also picked up 4-26 to restrict MI to a moderate total of 154-6. “It was a thriller. RCB are known for thrillers, and brilliant from Nadine [to win us this game]. Everyone was very positive, even when things were not going well. Nadine did all the work for us in the batting and bowling department,” said Mandhana.